Gastric ring

Abstract

The gastric ring comprises an elongate element that can be deformed into a loop between a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, together with closure means suitable for folding the elongate element into a loop and for fastening the distal and proximal end portions together once they have been moved close to each other while looping the ring. At least the elongate element is made of a material that is resorbable, preferably over a period of about or less than 2 years, e.g. of a poly-α-hydroxy acid. The elongate element is constituted by a proximal link, a distal link, and intermediate links hinged about pivot axes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gastric ring, also known as a gastroplasty ring or gastric band or a gastric constriction member. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Fitting a gastric ring constitutes one of the techniques that have been developed for combating massive obesity from which an increasing number of people are suffering in developed countries. [0003] Compared with other techniques, such as gastric bypass (BPG), or vertical banding gastroplasty (VGB), fitting a gastric ring presents the advantage of not changing the anatomy of the patient. Its principle is to reduce the diameter of the stomach opening, creating an anterior pocket of volume that is small so that the patient has a sensation of being sated after ingesting a minimal quantity of food. [0004] Since its appearance in 1986, several models of gastric ring have been proposed that are suitable for being implanted by laparoscopic surgery. Nevertheless they all have structure that is substantially similar. Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The resorbable nature of the elongate element which constitutes the body of the gastric ring makes it possible to limit the presence of said ring over time and thus limits those complications which are associated with such presence in the medium and long term. In addition, the non-definitive nature of fitting a ring of the invention has an important psychological impact on the choice made by the patient. After a probationary period that is limited in time, the patient can stop the experiment, or else, if so desired, proceed with a new implant that is either definitive or else once again limited in time.

[0018] Secondly, it is after this period that the presence of the gastric ring leads to increased risk in terms of migration, perforation, or infection, in terms of progressive dilation of the esophagus, and in terms of behavior disorders. These risks are thus eliminated by choosing this resorption time.

[0025] Advantageously, amongst known poly-α-hydroxy acids, use is made of a lactic polyacid, and more particularly a poly (L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide). At the final stage of degradation, lactic acid or glycolic acid are obtained, being respectively a metabolite and a pre-metabolite that are natural in the human body. These acids are oxidized in the organism into pyruvic acid which is itself metabolized into carbon dioxide gas and water via the tri-carboxylic acid cycle. The elongate element of the gastric ring made of such a material is thus completely resorbed in the body of the patient. This resorption takes place at a speed that varies as a function of various factors such as chemical composition and crystal content, molecular mass, and degree of polymerization. For example, the greater the crystal content of the lactic polyacid, the slower it is resorbed.

[0032] In this particular disposition, the gastric ring retains its effectiveness even when the elongate element and in particular the links have lost a large fraction of their mechanical strength.

Problems solved by technology

In spite of its recognized effectiveness, in terms of loss of weight, the gastric ring technique is not without drawbacks, in particular due to the complications that can arise.

Some of these complications are associated with the presence of the injection port which might be faulty, and with the connection tube which might rupture.

Other known complications of the gastric ring technique consist in a phenomenon whereby the ring migrates in the gastro-gastric wall, and also in a phenomenon whereby the wall of the stomach slides through the ring.

Even though some complications of this kind can occur soon after the ring has been implanted, most of them appear in the medium term, after several years.

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